Tuesday, April 16, 2013 2:31 pm

Woodbury physician Dr. James R. Spurlock has received the Heart of Hospice Award from Middle Tennessee nonprofit Alive Hospice. The Heart of Hospice Award is given for compassion, kindness, patient/family advocacy and an in-depth understanding of end-of-life care.

Dr. Spurlock is board certified in family medicine and has practiced at Mountain View Medical Family practice in Woodbury for the last 10 years.

"I was a pastor before I went into medicine. I've always had an interest in meeting people's needs not just medically, but spiritually and otherwise. Hospice meshes those very well," Dr. Spurlock said. "We're glad to be able to refer people to hospice who are at that stage of life where they can benefit from hospice care. It helps patients and families transition through that time together and makes it a lot easier for them."

Comfort and support are the main focuses of hospice, a specialized form of care that enhances quality of life for patients facing a limited life expectancy. In addition to pain and symptom management for patients, hospice also involves emotional and spiritual support for patients and their families.

Alive Hospice, one of the nation's oldest hospice programs, provides care and grief support services for residents of Cannon County. For more information about Alive Hospice, call 800-327-1085 or visit www.alivehospice.org.